AusLeisure

Five-time world champion aerial skier and Olympic medalist Jacqui Cooper has joined the Victorian Government and Cardinia Shire to spearhead the biggest-ever push for healthier lifestyles in Cardinia Shire.

Victorian Minister for Health David Davis today joined Cooper at Pakenham Central Marketplace to officially launch Victoria's Prevention Community Model for Cardinia Shire.

Minister Davis explained "we are committed to working with the community in tackling preventable diseases, obesity, chronic illness and promoting healthier lifestyles.

"We are targeting more than $100 million of state and National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health funding on a range of statewide and local strategies.

"Cardinia Shire is one of 12 new prevention areas across Victoria who will be working with their community, offering programs under the Prevention Community Model initiative which aims to turn around unhealthy lifestyles.

"This will include Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food mobile kitchen setting up for a time in Cardinia to deliver cooking and nutrition education programs for the community."

Minister Davis said the Prevention Community Model is a unique partnership between all levels of government and would benefit more than one million people in 14 municipalities.

He added "it will see efforts that build health-promoting environments across the shire. This means health-promoting schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and health services the places where people live their lives.

"Tailored healthy living strategies will be designed by communities and rolled out in these municipalities that focus on encouraging healthy eating, physical activity and reducing smoking and harmful alcohol use."

The other municipalities are Ararat, Central Goldfields, Bendigo, Dandenong, Geelong, Hume, Knox, Latrobe, Mildura, Pyrenees, Whittlesea, Wodonga and Wyndham.

World champion skier Jacqui Cooper has been chosen as Cardinia Shire's health ambassador and will visit local schools to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

The launch in Cardinia Shire which coincides with National Diabetes Awareness Week included a range of community-focused activities at Pakenham Central Marketplace such as health and nutrition checks, the council's State and National award winning PlayStart Van, Streets Ahead bike trailer and mobile youth facility, physical activity sessions and presentations by Jacqui Cooper.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Ed Chatwin said the Council would lead prevention efforts in Cardinia Shire in partnership with community health organisations, stakeholders and local communities.

Mayor Chatwin added "Cardinia Shire Council is committed to working with the community to encourage residents of all ages to improve health and wellbeing.

"Seven primary schools and early childhood services in Cardinia Shire have already signed up to the Victorian Prevention and Health Promotion Achievement Program.

"These services and schools have put their hand up right at the start to work towards being health-promoting, which is a real win for their children, families and staff.

"The Prevention Community Model is a new and exciting initiative that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Cardinia Shire residents where they live, learn, work and play."

Cardinia Shire has a population of more than 77,000 people.

For more information go to www.health.vic.gov.au/prevention/community_level.htm

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